Coastal Japan Bike Tour

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Meet in Tottori

   The meeting point for the tour is Tottori City, the gateway to the San-in region. You'll meet at the hotel by 13:00 hrs. (01:00 PM) for a bike fitting and an easy 27 km warmup ride to the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest and most visually striking of their kind in Japan. You will also visit the Sand Museum with its impressive sand sculptures.

   In the evening you'll convene for a trip briefing and welcome dinner at a local izakaya restaurant. Please let us know if you require assistance with pre-tour hotel bookings.
   

   • 16.8 miles
   • 3.3 ft
     892.4 ft
     889.1 ft
   • Hotel Monarque Tottori (Western style)
   • Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

2. Day 2Tottori City - Misasa Onsen

   Starting from your city hotel, you'll weave your way out of Tottori and within 10 km find yourself riding along the shores of Lake Koyama, a picturesque lagoon with a shrine at its centre. From there, you'll head towards the Sea of Japan but don’t linger on the coast for too long (yet!). Instead, you'll wind through small, quiet country roads that pass through farmlands and forested hills. At 35 km, the day’s major climb begins: a steady 9 km ascent with a 4–5% gradient up to a forest-clad pass.

   After a well-earned breather at the top, you'll enjoy an exhilarating descent to Lake Togo, followed by a flatter stretch to the historic city of Kurayoshi. Here, you'll take a break from cycling for an exclusive temple visit and a stroll through the beautifully preserved warehouse district. From there, it’s just 10 km to Misasa Onsen, home to renowned 'miraculous' hot springs — an ideal place to soak and unwind after an exciting day on the bike!
   

   • 44.1 miles
   • 200.1 ft
     3,297.2 ft
     3,097.1 ft
   • Kiya Ryokan (Japanese style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

3. Day 3Misasa Onsen - Kaike Onsen

   You'll head back to the coast by following the course of the Tenjin River for 20 km. Then veer west, alternating between coast-hugging roads and rural stretches through pear farms and rice fields. Eventually, you will begin to catch glimpses of the towering Mount Daisen, a dormant volcano once referred to as the “Mountain of the Great God” and bearing resemblance to the more well-known Mount Fuji. You'll cycle along the undulating roads on the lower and middle slopes of the volcano, stopping regularly to appreciate the natural beauty of the area and take pictures. Tackling the slopes will involve some gradual as well as steep uphill bursts, though these are always rewarded with refreshing descents downhill. You'll spend the night in the seaside town of Kaike, known for its onsens and seafood! Make sure to catch the sunset at the sandy Kaike Onsen Beach.
   

   • 45.4 miles
   • -203.4 ft
     1,824.1 ft
     2,027.6 ft
   • Bayside Square Kaike Hotel (Japanese style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

4. Day 4Kaike Onsen - Nishinoshima

   This morning you'll depart Kaike along a very pleasant and newly built coastal cycle path to Sakaiminato City. The city and its surrounding areas, sandwiched between the Sea of Japan to the east and the Nakaumi Inland Sea to the west, make for a great cycling route. First, you will cross the famous Eshima Bridge to the islands of Eshima and then Daikonshima where you will make a stop off at the Yuushien Gardens. These beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens are perfect for a refreshing stroll before looping back to the coast via a scenic road that seemingly floats on the Nakaumi Inland Sea and then continues to hug the edge of the Sakaiminato Strait. The ride concludes with a high-arched bridge crossing to the harbour where you’ll load your bikes and embark on a relaxing 2 hour 50 minute ferry journey to the volcanic island of Nishinoshima. Upon arrival on the island, you will be transferred to a ryokan to enjoy a delicious seafood dinner. You are now in a truly remote, offshore, part of Japan!!
   

   • 28.6 miles
   • -3.3 ft
     1,017.1 ft
     1,020.3 ft
   • Kuniga-so Hotel (Japanese style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

5. Day 5Nishinoshima - Dogo Island

   You'll begin with a quick transfer back to the port where our bikes will be waiting. You'll cut across the island on flat, paved roads for 10 km until reaching the spectacular Kuniga Coast, characterized by rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and unique rock formations. You will walk along a coast-hugging trail to the top of the Matengai Cliffs; towering walls of volcanic rock reaching 257 meters which offer breathtaking views of the sea and coastline. You'll then cycle the 10 km back to the port and get comfortable on an inter-island ferry which will shuttle you over to the next island, Dogo-jima (2 hours on the boat). Upon arrival, you'll hop on the bikes again and ride along a route that leads to traditional boat-building sites and a unique "bull sumo" stable. Continuing on, you'll make your way toward your accommodation near the port area. After 28 kilometers, you’ll reach the hotel, where you can unwind and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this quiet, remote island.
   

   • 29.8 miles
   • 26.2 ft
     2,887.1 ft
     2,860.9 ft
   • Hotel Miyabi
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

6. Day 6Dogo Island - Sakaiminato

   Considered by those in the know as one of Japan’s best cycling routes, today you'll travel up the centre and down the east coast of Dogo Island as you loop back around to the port to return to the mainland. The first highlight is after 10 km (and a bit of climbing!) when you arrive at an ancient cedar tree which is believed to be over 600 years old and has spiritual significance for the islanders. From here you'll head up a little further to the village of Nakamura where you can stop at a beach for a quick break. You'll then ride down the east coast on quiet country roads, passing through dense forests, fishing ports, rice paddies, citrus orchards, and tunnels that burrow beneath the coastal hills. After around 43 km you'll arrive back at Saigo Port where you'll have lunch and board a ferry to take you back to the mainland (2 hours 25 minutes). Take in the views from the deck as you say goodbye to the islands.

   Upon arrival in Sakaiminato City, you will be transferred to the hotel and reconvene for dinner in the evening.
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • -19.7 ft
     3,566.3 ft
     3,586 ft
   • Onyado Nono Sakaiminato (Mixed Western/Japanese style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

7. Day 7Sakaiminato - Matsue

   You'll begin with a 12 km ride over to the northern tip of the peninsula where you'll reach Miho Shrine. One of Japan’s most scenic shinto shrines, Miho is nestled on the slopes of Mount Atago and harbours intricate wooden architecture, including a gorgeous torii gate. You'll continue for another 3 km to the Mihonoseki Lighthouse where you can climb to the top to enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding sea, lagoon and cliffs. You'll then backtrack a little bit before cutting 5 km across the hilly peninsula to its northern seashore. Here you’ll cycle along the nature-rich coastline, climbing up and down for 35 km between a scenic string of headlands jutting out into the Sea of Japan, separated by bays sheltering fishing villages. The final 10 km of the route takes us through rural areas leading into the historic city of Matsue on the shores of Lake Shinji. You’ll saddle-off and walk over to the “Black Castle”, one of only 12 original feudal-era castles left standing in Japan! Perched atop a hill and surrounded by a moat and thick walls, visiting Matsue castle makes for a great finale to the day.
   

   • 40.4 miles
   • -26.2 ft
     4,156.8 ft
     4,183.1 ft
   • Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu (Western style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

8. Day 8Matsue Rural Loop

   With your hotel in Matsue as the base, you've got a fun loop today that covers a large swathe of the forest-covered rolling hills and flat farmlands of the surrounding countryside. For the first 15 km, you'll do some gradual climbing but after that it is all downhill and flat. The highlight of today’s ride is a visit to the Adachi Museum of Art in the lovely village of Hirose. The Adachi Museum is renowned for its integration of Japanese art within meticulously maintained gardens that feature lush greenery, carefully arranged rocks and serene ponds. Truly zen! You’ll spend some time here before circling back to Matsue via roads flanked by extensive farmlands. Back in Matsue the rest of the day is yours to explore more of the city or simply relax.
   

   • 29.2 miles
   • 3.3 ft
     1,824.1 ft
     1,820.9 ft
   • Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu (Western style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

9. Day 9Matsue - Izumo

   Time for the home stretch as you cycle east from Matsue to the coastal city of Izumo. After departing Matsue, you'll ride for 25 km through a tightly packed sequence of small valleys north of Lake Shinki. Expect some sharp bursts up and down complemented by blissful rural surroundings. As you curve around the lake, the roads flatten and you'll skirt along the banks of two rivers - first the Hii and then the Kando – for 30 km before you are greeted, for the last time on tour, by the turquoise waters of the Sea of Japan. The remaining few km take you north along the coast to the endpoint of the day’s ride: Izumo Taisha. This is one of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto Shrines and certainly one of the most impressive due to its grand architecture! You’ll spend some time exploring the beautiful grounds of the shrine and then hop on a local train for a 30 minute journey to your hotel near Izumo Train Station. You’ll enjoy a final dinner together as you celebrate the completion of your San-in cycling exploration.
   

   • 39.1 miles
   • 6.6 ft
     1,463.3 ft
     1,456.7 ft
   • Green Rich Hotel (Western style)
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

10. Day 10Izumo Departure

    Time to say goodbye! Depending on your onward travel plans, either head to the nearby airport or the train station. Daily flights are available to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Kyoto and Osaka can be reached in half a day by train.
    

    • Breakfast